Exclusive: German firms urged to cut dependence on China

BERLIN (Reuters) - A new strategy paper from Germany’s influential BDI industry federation calls on firms to reduce their dependence on the Chinese market, according to a draft seen by Reuters, in a sign of rising concern over Beijing’s state-driven economic model.

FILE PHOTO: Flags with the logo of BMW flutter at the venue of a ground breaking ceremony for a new BMW assembly plant, inside the BMW Brilliance Plant Tiexi, in Shenyang, Liaoning province, China October 11, 2018. REUTERS/Norihiko Shirouzu/File Photo

The 25-page China position paper from the Federation of German Industries (BDI), which is due to be published in January, argues that a long-promised opening of the Chinese market is unlikely to take place and voices concern about rising Communist party control over society and the economy.

Entitled “Partner and Systemic Competitor - How to cope with China’s state-driven economic model?”, the paper makes clear that German firms cannot afford to turn their backs on China.

But, in an unusual step, it urges them to reassess their presence there, while offering numerous recommendations for the German government and European Union.

The BDI is Germany’s main business lobby group and although its proposals do not always translate directly into policy, they carry significant weight.

“Despite the attractiveness of the Chinese market, it will be increasingly important for companies to closely examine the risks of their engagement in China and to minimize their dependence by diversifying supply chains, production sites and sales markets,” reads the draft, which is being vetted by BDI members and could change before publication.

A spokesman for the BDI later confirmed that the group was working on a China paper but said it was still at an early stage.

Bilateral trade between Germany and China hit a record 188 billion euros last year. And big German firms, notably carmakers like Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE), Daimler (DAIGn.DE) and BMW (BMWG.DE), depend heavily on the fast-growing Chinese market.

But while their presence there was once seen as a strength, it is now unsettling German politicians and industry as Beijing asserts control over the economy under President Xi Jinping.

Scepticism is growing despite recent steps by China to open up its economy, including allowing Germany’s BASF (BASFn.DE) to invest in a major chemical site and BMW to take control of its main joint venture in China, a first for a foreign carmaker.

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Another worry is the escalating trade conflict between the United States and China, which risks putting Germany - and Europe - in the awkward position of having to choose between its top two economic partners.

RANGE OF PROBLEMS

The paper cites a range of problems for German firms operating in China, from forced technology transfer and failures to protect intellectual property to arbitrary customs decisions and unequal access to licenses and financing.

It calls for closer coordination on China strategy within the German government and between the EU and like-minded partners, including the United States.

It also argues for a new EU instrument to prevent state-subsidized takeovers, including requiring Chinese firms to present accounts based on internationally agreed standards when acquiring European firms so their ownership structures and financing can be vetted.

The BDI calls on the EU to develop its own ambitious industrial strategy for 2030, an echo of Beijing’s “Made in China 2025” plan, which prioritizes development of key industry sectors, from robotics and aerospace to clean-energy cars.

It argues for a bigger EU budget - including a doubling of R&D spending - to support investments in infrastructure, education and innovation.

“We are facing a systemic competition between our open markets approach and China’s state-driven economic model,” the paper reads. “We need a broad discussion across politics, society and industry about this challenge.”

Responding to the story, Volker Treier, foreign trade chief at the German chambers of commerce and industry (DIHK), warned against putting forward any strategy that “pushes China into a corner”.

The BDI makes clear in the paper that Germany industry has no interest in “fencing in” China. But it also supports a firm response to China’s attempts to reshape the liberal global order.

It describes the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Xi’s ambitious plan to connect China to Europe, Africa and beyond via transport links and trade deals, as an attempt by Beijing to build geopolitical influence and shape third markets according to its own interests.

To counter this influence, the BDI calls for a “diplomatic offensive” from Berlin and Brussels toward countries in eastern Europe, central Asia, southeast Asia and Africa.

Reporting by Noah Barkin; Additional reporting by Klaus Lauer; Editing by John Stonestreet